JEDDAH, 18 October 2006 — Picture this scene at Gold’s Gym: the guard passes the ball to the center; the center takes the ball to the basket and scores. When we look Saeed, the guard, flashes up the court dribbling like lightning with his head up he sees the whole court spots a space and he flies through it. He fakes left, fakes right, then jumps, spins and lays the ball up.
Muhammad sees that the center is about to open up for a pass he positions himself, Uthman steps to the side and throws a bounce pass that his defender cannot reach. The pass is timed to arrive during that second or two that the center is free of his defender. Muhammad lays the ball in the basket.
Uthman uses a screen set by a teammate to gain a step on his defender. Bang! Another three pointer.
Muhammad establishes his position with a wide stance, his knees flexed, so that the defender cannot reach around to deflect the ball. Muhammad signals for the ball to be thrown to his right side by stretching out his right hand. Upon catching the ball, he fakes to his right and starts left toward the hoop. Bang! Two more points. Uthman turns right fakes left the three-pointer sinks clean in the basket.
The crowd roars as the horn sounds, ending the game.
The four-man team of Uthman Arnawi, Mohammad Walker, Saeed A. Bahi and Umar Abdul Salam won first place.
Young and old had fun competing for the grand prize of six months free gift certificate at Gold’s gym and three months for second place. When you watch highly accomplished players, basketball looks natural and uncomplicated.
Amr Bardeesi, Aman Hassan, Mohannad Jeddawi and Loui Asaad took second place.
Gold’s Gym with a impressive flourish completed their first Ramadan three-on-three basketball tournament co-sponsored by Subway. This was the soft introduction to the facilities to be followed by the grand opening gala celebration in the middle of November.
Captain Assad Ahmed, former captain of the Saudi national basketball team and Al-Ahli club and now basketball and fitness manager at Gold’s Gym, organized the tournament with the facilitated guidance of CEO Makarem Batterjee and the enthusiastic support of the staff at the complex.
Four generations of basketball players turned out. There were 18 year olds, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60 year olds playing and watching the festivities.
The unique shooting contest pitted two-man teams against each other. Uthman Arnawi and Raid Iberhim Shaban won the shooting contest. In round one Uthman and Raid outscored their opponents 64 to 33 . The prize for the shooting contest was a three-month free gift certificate.
Thirty teams entered the tournament, and played all week with a two game elimination process.
Gold’s Gym made available an opportunity for Jeddah’s basketball community to hang out, play ball, and watch some excellent games during Ramadan this year.
